A paper I recently reviewed suggest that some diatoms are able to store enough PO4
in the form of polyphosphate to support nearly 100 subsequent generations.(Horne
and Goldman 1994)
This suggest that it would rather difficult, perhaps impossible to beat certain
species of diatom algae through PO4 limitation when growing aquatic plants.
It is not unreasonable to assume when the nutrient levels are extremely low for
very long periods, that even smaller algae have similar abilities even if an order
of magnitute lower, they would still be very formidable foes.
But these PO4 levels never occur in an aquarium unless you have no fish, larger
critters, never disturb the substrate via removal of plants etc.
Regards,
Tom Barr
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